In your issue this month, we turn our attention to Panama. You may know its economy has grown more than 9% a year for the past six years…and you may have seen pictures of its sky-scraper-filled capital city.

But what you may not realize is that Panama is also home to sunny beach towns and verdant mountain hamlets. You may not know that in this nation you gain the region’s most modern infrastructure—reliable Internet, excellent healthcare, a modern airport. And Panama offers foreign retirees the best benefit program in the world.

This nation is one of the most comfortable, convenient, good-value places we write about. On a budget of $2,500 a month—rent included—you could live with the ocean in your front yard. Try that in California.

Read more about Panama and other countries from around the world in the articles below.

If you’d prefer to read the PDF version of your February 2013 issue, click here.